Annual Flowers Beginning Early in the Year in Scottsdale

Scooby Doo Sun Bathes Early in the Year (Photo credit: Chris Eirschele)

I am not a gardener made for painfully hot temperatures, which is ironic as I live in a low desert in Arizona. So I start in December and my dog follows my example. By June, we will both be inside writing about gardening and tending to my houseplants.

Geraniums Flourish in December Around Scottsdale (Photo credit: Chris Eirschele)

I love annual geraniums. In the low desert, annual geraniums are sold in garden centers like they were Christmas flowers. That’s okay with me. Planted with my foxtail fern which grows all year, I keep geraniums going over January by sliding them under an overhang. This one grew bigger leaves and developed more buds by mid January.

Annual Geranium Stung by Frost (Photo credit: Chris Eirschele)

This annual geranium was stung by frost as nightime temperatures went under 30 degrees F. But daytime temperatures brought it back up above 50. Such is the world of the low desert in the city. Protected under a patio umbrella and bookended by two daisy plants which love cooler temperatures and flowered over winter, the annual geranium survived.

By the end of February the Geranium Buds Show Promise (Photo credit: Chris Eirschele)

Pansies are Plugged in by February for Color with Succulents (Photo credit: Chris Eirschele)

The signs all said “Color” at the garden center this last week. Pansies still are my favorite for spring flowers. As it gets too hot for them to thrive, I will replace them with purple heart (more on that plant later in Houseplants.)

Garlic Chives in My Fish Pot (Photo credit: Chris Eirschele)

Garlic chives is my best favorite plant discovery for a low desert garden. I plant one to harvest for kitchen cooking and keep one in my Fish Pot. My garlic chives plant grows wonderfully long deep green leaves, responded to last summer’s 100 plus degree days with white flowers, died down during winter and rebounded in February with more green leaves. What is not to love! It keeps my stay gardening alive!